Disclaimer/Author Note/Rating: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimers, legal info, etc.
Go raibh maith agaibh:
This chapter is going up fairly quickly, my specific "thank you" list is fairly short… As always I appreciate your reviews, even if I miss you on my "shout out" list from time to time. My apologies for that!
Mercury Gray… I never cease to amaze you? blushing You are too generous with your praise!
Twistedmind… A writer/author could never ask for more than what you have offered in your last review. Thank you so much!
Annie Black… Welcome and thank you! I'm glad you like the story. I hope you'll read more of it.
Evenstar/Elaine… Enjoy your trip!!!
Trina/Leonora… Love hearing from you! Keep up your own writing…!
Wyall Jared... Put you to shame? Nay, my friend. As I've said to Mercury, I end up writing ahead. Almost this entire chapter was written last night in a parking lot while I was waiting for a fireworks show to begin. Take any chance you have to write... you never know what will come to you!
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Chapter 18: Yule Morning
"Merry Yule," said Serena. Severus turned in the bed and rubbed a hand over his face as he yawned.
"Merry Yule," he answered. How many years had it been since he actually wished someone a merry Yuletide and meant it as more than a simple courtesy? How many years had it been since he actually looked forward to Yule at all?
"Come on," said Serena. "Out of bed. You have some gifts to open."
He smiled at her indulgently and got out of bed. In his study, the tree was lit and the fire already going on the hearth. And throughout the house, the rich smell of breakfast.
"You've been busy," he remarked as a plate piled high with eggs and sausage and toast landed silently on the table next to him. "Don't tell me you made all of this by hand."
"Not today," she confessed. It didn't take long to finish the meal and soon Severus settled onto the sofa with a steaming cup of tea in his hand. Serena pulled a long box out from under the tree. It was wrapped in silver paper and had a sprig of holly attached to the top.
"Here," she said. "This is for you."
Inside the box, Severus found a new outer cloak made of finely woven Irish wool. The front was closed by two silver clasps in the shape of dragons. He ran the material between his fingers as he held it up.
"Where did you find this?" he asked. "The weave is magnificent." He threw it over his shoulders. The length was a hair long, but that was how he preferred his cloaks.
She smiled. "A little shop I know in Dublin."
"Well, then, I suppose it is your turn." Still wearing the cloak he went to the tree and pulled a package wrapped in a light icy blue.
She tugged the ends of the bow and then used the ribbon to tie her hair up in a ponytail. Severus shook his head – sitting on the floor in her pajamas, with her hair tied in a bow, Serena looked rather silly.
She pulled the lid off the box and her mouth opened slightly. In side was a set of jewelry. There was a necklace with an oval amethyst drop suspended from a silver chain. There were two matching, tear-shaped earrings, and finally a small ring with an oval amethyst cabochon set sideways in a silver band.
"They're lovely!" She buckled the necklace around her throat and put the earrings in. The dark purple stones were a perfect color for her. Lastly, she put the ring onto the ring finger of her right hand. It was a little loose but not so much that she feared it would slip off.
"I love amethysts. Thank you so much, Severus."
They had promised to only buy a few gifts for each other so the rest went quickly. Serena gave Severus a new shirt of Irish linen and a first edition copy of "Welsh Country Potions," a volume he had wanted to add to his collection. And in addition to the jewelry, Severus gave her two blank journals bound in leather covers.
"I have one other thing for you," he said after she'd looked at the journals.
"Something else? Severus, we said only a few things. You've already given me the journals, the jewels, and also this lovely surprise." She gestured back at the Yule tree behind her. "You've done far too much already."
He shrugged. "No matter," he said. "I still have one other thing for you, but you can't have it until later."
"A toast," said Lucius as he raised his wine glass. "To the future and success."
"Success," echoed Malificus.
"So. Draco. How was the Yule Ball? You haven't said much about it. Did you go with anyone?" asked Narcissa.
"I went with Amanda Stonecroft," Draco answered. "She's a Slytherin fourth year."
"That would be George and Penelope Stonecroft's daughter if I'm not mistaken," said Lucius. "A good magical family." What he meant – and everyone knew it – was that they were a pureblood family, and that was what would matter to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.
"But everyone was watching Professor Snape and Professor Castleton-Black," said Draco.
"Does Snape still fancy that woman?" asked Narcissa. She made a face as if she'd smelled something slightly rotten.
Draco shrugged. "Seems like it. Rumors were all over school that they're shacking up together…"
"Draco!" said Narcissa.
"Well, that's what they say. But no one has really seen them together. The Weasley twins say they saw them kissing, but I wouldn't necessarily trust anything that a Weasley said." Draco took another bite of pie. "But at the Yule Ball they did dance again and they ended up under the mistletoe and she kissed Professor Snape."
"In front of the students?" said Lucius leaning forward. If she had, he could cause a stir with the Board of Governors. Malificus focused in as well.
"No," said Draco. "Just a quick one on the cheek. No big deal. If you want my opinion, though, they're going out with each other. They probably spent Yule together…" A second piece of pie appeared on his plate and Draco stopped talking and resumed eating.
Malificus was looking out of the dining room window as Draco related his story. I'm sure they spent Yule together… His imagination conjured images of Serena in bed but he quickly put himself in Snape's place…
"Uncle Malificus?"
Malificus literally flinched as Draco's voice cut through his daydream.
"Are you feeling okay? You're turning a little red."
"Fine, fine," he laughed. "Just lost in a little thought, Draco."
Lucius, however, knew exactly what his younger brother was thinking about and scowled darkly. Malificus wasn't looking and never saw. And what neither of the Malfoy brother's saw was the dark scowl that also crossed Narcissa's face for a moment before she hid it away from prying eyes.Back at Hogwart's, Severus came into the study.
"Are you ready for your last gift?" He had waited until late in the afternoon to ask her. Serena looked up from the book she'd been reading, put her book mark in it and laid it on the floor next to the chair. With a flick of his wand, Severus conjured a bowl about the size of a large soup bowl. It settled into Serena's hands and inside she discovered a pile of dark red, ripe cherries.
"Cherries? Where on earth did you find them? They're not in season right now!" She looked up, delighted. "I love cherries. They are my absolute favorite fruit!"
"I know," he said with a satisfied smile turning the corners of his mouth. "And where I found them is my secret."
Serena put one up to her mouth but hesitated as Severus also said, "But do you know what the best part is?"
"The best part?"
He waved his wand again and said something that Serena couldn't quite make out.
"… No pits."
She bit into the crisp, sweet flesh of one of the cherries, and sure enough, no pit at the center. Serena laughed out loud and popped another into her mouth.
"Severus Snape, you are the man of my dreams."
He forced the smile to remain on his face. Would you say that, he wondered, if you knew about my past, Serena? Or if you knew my secret, would I be the man of your nightmares…
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Well, here we are… these past two chapters have been a bit of filler. Hope they were at least enjoyable filler. I expect you'll find the action starting to heat up a little in the upcoming chapters, and I'm really looking forward to hearing what you all think. Please read/review!